Our Veterinarians

As a pet owner himself, Dr. Mike Bunnell recognized that one of the best feelings in the world was watching your own sick or injured pet become well again. He wanted to be the one who could make that happen. That’s why he decided to become a veterinarian! Now, Dr. Bunnell has enjoyed more than 10 wonderful years as a licensed veterinarian helping pets and their owners to live happier, healthier lives. He’s the proud owner and chief veterinarian here at Fayetteville Veterinary Hospital.

Dr. Bunnell started working as a Veterinary Assistant in the animal clinic that he took his own pets to while growing up in his hometown of Auburn, New York. He attended Cornell University to earn his Bachelor’s degree in animal science, and then continued on to Michigan State University to earn his Doctorate. Dr. Bunnell graduated vet school in 2008, then moved back to the Syracuse area and has been practicing here ever since.

In May of 2016, Dr. Bunnell purchased Fayetteville Animal Hospital and strives to provide uncompromising top-notch service to the pets and animal parents of the area, day in and day out. He has particular passions for surgical work and dentistry because of the way they can immediately alleviate a pet’s pain, but his favorite part of the job is knowing that he’s able to make a lasting difference in the community.

In his time away from the office, Dr. Bunnell likes gardening and landscaping, completing home-improvement projects, working on cars, and enjoying the company of his own pets. He has two cats, Nero and Charles, as well as a stubborn Doberman puppy named Ember. When Ember doesn’t like what she’s being asked to do, she’ll lay on her back with her feet in the air and refuse to move until she’s picked up and carried!

Dr. Melissa Marsak has always been drawn to puzzles. For her, using her skillset to observe, test, and come to a conclusion is extremely rewarding. Combined with her lifelong love for animals, being a veterinarian simply seemed like the perfect fit! Dr. Marsak proudly serves the area’s pets as an Associate Veterinarian.

Dr. Marsak is originally from Liverpool, New York and gained her first exposure to veterinary care while volunteering at an animal rescue in south Boston during college. After completing her pre-veterinary studies, she continued on to Cornell University to earn her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine. Next, she spent three years working in general practice in the Buffalo, New York area before moving to Syracuse. Dr. Marsak joined the Fayetteville Veterinary Hospital team in August of 2016 and has been helping the area’s pets and animal parents here ever since.

Medically, Dr. Marsak is fond of dermatology work—her dog in veterinary school, Maisy, was chock-full of skin problems and taught Dr. Marsak quite a lot!—and she also enjoys pharmacology and anesthesia. Above all, she likes spending one-on-one time with the area’s pet owners and their adorable companions.

Aside from her interests in animal care, Dr. Marsak is fond of cooking and traveling. Studying abroad in Madrid, Spain was a dream come true for her! At home, she has one loveable dog: Zuri, who refuses to get out of bed until she hears her breakfast clinking into the bowl every morning.